The New York Knicks' plan to bring in legendary coach Phil Jackson into the front office to re-vamp the team after a disastrous 2013-14 campaign has already hit a familiar snag--owner James Dolan.
The oft-criticized owner has already begun to clash with Jackson's moves to eliminate just about everyone from the previous regime, beginning with head coach Mike Woodson and his entire staff.
Upon signing, Dolan said at Jackson's introductory press conference "In his role as president Phil will be in charge of all basketball decisions." Dolan also said he would "willingly and gratefully" cede control of the basketball operations to Jackson.
The Daily News is reporting that Jackson is trying to execute something like a clean sweep of personnel, while Dolan is balking at some of the employees he wants removed. Sources inside the Garden say this has caused some "minor friction" between the two.
One Knicks' employee spoke to The Daily News and took Jackson's side. "There are a lot of good people at the Garden and a lot of good people that travel with the team, but if Phil wants to start fresh why wouldn't you allow him to do that?"
While it's unclear if the relationship is already fraying barely a few months in, any negative press regarding the front office or the team's direction will become major news, since they're trying to retain free agent forward Carmelo Anthony.
Just last week, Carmelo hinted he prefers to stay in the Big Apple, but won't endure another atrocious season. "I also want to win. I don't know if I can afford another season of losing," Anthony said.
Despite having arguably his best year as a pro, with 28.7 points per game, a career-high 8.1 rebounds, and over three assists in a diluted Eastern Conference, the Knicks couldn't even make the playoffs just one year after being a 54-win team.
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